Summary
– Emergency services in Queensland and NSW are imposing strict requirements on electric vehicle chargers in apartments, causing issues for property developers
– Guidelines state that electric cars should not be allowed in car parks without significant fire protection measures, despite contradicting previous guidance
– The National Construction Code requires new buildings to have necessary wiring for EV charging, but development is hindered by unclear regulations and costly infrastructure requirements
– The changing rules are frustrating designers, engineers, and apartment residents who are seeking to install electric vehicle chargers
– Statistics show that petrol and diesel vehicles are more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles, raising concerns about the strict special hazard provisions for EVs
Article
Australia is facing challenges in its transition to electric vehicles, with emergency services demanding that electric cars be treated as “special hazards” akin to fireworks factories. New requirements from fire and rescue services in Queensland and NSW are making it difficult to install electric car chargers in apartment buildings despite the high demand for such infrastructure. The guidelines suggest that electric cars should not be allowed inside car parks without significant fire protection measures, contradicting the National Construction Code. Experts are calling for urgent clarification to avoid high costs and long-term consequences.
Fire and Rescue NSW issued new rules for electric vehicles and charging stations in car parks, recommending that electric cars be treated as special hazards and subject to additional requirements for fire protection. Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell clarified that sprinkler systems are not required in typical home garages but may be necessary in buildings with underground car parks. The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued similar advice, including the provision of air-handling systems. However, the Australian Building Codes Board CEO Gary Rake argues that the special hazard provision in the National Construction Code was not intended to apply to cars, as electric vehicles are now common in car parks.
The changing rules are posing challenges for property developers, architects, designers, and engineers building new apartments. Some developers are removing electric vehicle chargers from their plans due to confusing guidance and growing demands, which could add significant costs to car spaces. Owners Corporation Network chairman Fred Tuckwell notes that more apartment residents are petitioning for electric vehicle chargers but are frustrated by the lack of clear regulations. The strict requirements imposed by fire and rescue services could make it almost impossible to install EV chargers in private buildings due to the high expense and uncertainty.
Mr. Tuckwell argues that fire safety requirements should be based on statistics rather than opinion, pointing out that petrol and diesel vehicles are more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles. The agency collecting data on electric vehicle fires in Australia, EV FireSafe, has verified only six EV fires to date, none of which were related to battery charging or spontaneous explosions. EV FireSafe’s CEO Emma Sutcliffe notes that the greatest fire risk to electric cars typically follows damage to their batteries, with the leading causes of EV fires being road traffic collisions, submersion in floodwaters, vehicles on recall, and exposure to other fires. It is recommended to avoid charging a damaged EV and to have it checked out instead.
Overall, the conflicting requirements and lack of clear regulations regarding electric vehicles are hindering Australia’s move towards electric transportation. The additional demands for fire protection measures for EV chargers in car parks are deemed unnecessary by experts, who argue that electric vehicles are now commonplace and should not be considered special hazards. The confusion and uncertainty surrounding these regulations are causing difficulties for property developers and residents who want to install EV chargers in apartment buildings. Clear guidelines based on statistics and real-world data are needed to ensure the safe and efficient adoption of electric vehicles across Australia.
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